"This work is unlike any other, in its range of rich, conjuring imagery and its dexterity, its smart voice. Carroll-Hackett doesn’t spare us—but doesn’t save us—she draws a blueprint of power and class with her unflinching pivot: matter-of-fact and tender." —Jan Beatty

Archive for March, 2017

My daily postcards to my elected reps have been mailed, my phone calls made, but my most important action today is to support and empower and encourage my community of writers and artists, however I can 🙂

Tomorrow, April 1, begins National Poetry Month, and I run a writing group on here providing art and writing prompts to anyone who passes by and is interested. For the nonwriters here, we have a tradition of celebrating Poetry Month by doing something called PAD–Poem a Day 🙂 But whether it’s poems, stories, dreams, or journal entries, celebrating spring by writing something every day is both inspiring and empowering, and I think, needed now more than ever, this beautiful raising of our collective voices, strengthening our creative spirits in a political culture that seems determined to dim them.

So please come play with us 🙂 Celebrate spring and the power of your creative spirits! You’re amazing! And we need you! ❤

Celebrating National Poetry starting tomorrow!

15 Brand New Prompts Up at the Better Than Black Friday Writing Group!

Twice this week, I’ve dreamt of peacocks. I also saw one alongside of the road.

In Greco-Roman mythology the peacock is identified with Hera (Juno) who created the peacock from Argus whose hundred eyes (seen on the tail feathers of the peacock) symbolize the vault of heaven and the eyes of the stars.

In Hinduism the peacock is associated with Lakshmi who is a deity representing benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and good luck.

Similar to Lakshmi, the peacock is associated with Kwan-yin in Asian spirituality. Kwan-yin (or Quan Yin) is also an emblem of love, compassionate watchfulness, good-will, nurturing, and kind-heartedness. Legend tells us she chose to remain a mortal even though she could be immortal because she wished to stay behind and aid humanity in their spiritual evolution.

In Babylonia and Persia the peacock is seen as a guardian to royalty, and is often seen in engravings upon the thrones of royalty.

In Christianity the peacock symbolism represents the “all-seeing” church, along with the holiness and sanctity associated with it. Additionally, the peacock represents resurrection, renewal and immortality.

Themes of renewal are also linked to alchemical traditions to, as many schools of thought compare the resurrecting phoenix to the modern-day peacock. Along these lines, the peacock is a colorful symbol of transformation. Like the phoenix, the alchemy peacock can remind us that we can rise out of our darkest moments. It’s a metaphor that speaks about dying to the ego-self, and being reborn into a new life of awareness, spirituality and illumination.